By
Zack Stachowski & Matt Reichert.
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Our Lenten journey continues with powerful personal witness from composer Ken Canedo. Join OYH hosts Zack Stachowski and Matt Reichert as they speak with Ken about his own return to the Church and how it led to the composition of one of his most beloved songs. They’ll also speak about Ken’s work chronicling the history of contemporary Catholic liturgical music, and Ken shares his experience as a person with hearing impairment. You won’t want to miss it!

So, please open your hymnal to "Fly Like a Bird."

43 episodes available.
A new episode about every
17 days
averaging 44 mins duration
.

It’s our “May Crowning” episode! We’re continuing our celebration of the treasury of devotional songs written in honor of the Blessed Mother with a hybrid show: part interview, part special feature. To help us out, we’re speaking with composer Lorraine Hess about her setting of the “Memorare” prayer. In addition to featuring her song, you’ll he ...…

To conclude our Lenten series, we are bringing you our Easter Vigil episode, originally released in March, 2018.. Join hosts Matt Reichert and Zack Stachowski as they return to composers Gary Daigle and Rory Cooney, this time in conversation together about one of their best-known and best-loved collaborations. You'll hear about "homiletic" text ...…

Often, the songs that resonate with people the most are those that originate in authentic experience. Join hosts Zack Stachowski and Matt Reichert as they speak with composer Tom Kendzia about his song, “I, the Lord,” a song of comfort with a very personal connection. Tom will also talk about the evolution of contemporary Catholic music, give a ...…

This is a special re-release of our original episode from March, 2018. It has been expanded to include the OYH Playlist feature, and more! Join us as OYH ventures "across the pond"! In this interview recorded in July 2017, Matt Reichert and Zack Stachowski spoke with composer Paul Inwood about one of his best-loved compositions and, in the proc ...…

Our Lenten journey continues with powerful personal witness from composer Ken Canedo. Join OYH hosts Zack Stachowski and Matt Reichert as they speak with Ken about his own return to the Church and how it led to the composition of one of his most beloved songs. They’ll also speak about Ken’s work chronicling the history of contemporary Catholic ...…

We are marking the mid-point of Lent with a special feature episode. You’ll hear a range of great seasonal music from a variety of composers arranged around the final three Gospel readings for Lent, the “Scrutiny Gospels.” These readings are shared with us by composers Meredith Augustin, Ian Callanan, and Luke Rosen. We hope that this presentat ...…

To mark the season of Lent, we are releasing one episode each week. This week, we are re-releasing one of our very first interviews. First published in 1991, "You Are Mine" is one of the most popular contemporary liturgical songs used in the Church today. It consistently appears at the top of "favorite liturgical song" lists and surveys and is ...…

It’s our Lenten kick-off episode! To commemorate the start of the season, we are re-releasing our conversation with Alan Hommerding from February, 2017. You’ll hear the same great interview, but with added features like the OYH Playlist segment. Join Zack Stachowski and Matt Reichert as they chat with composer and text-writer Alan Hommerding. T ...…

We’re focusing on music written by women composers, and we’re blessed to be joined by five guests: Sarah Hart, Lori True, Carol Browning, Lorraine Hess, and Kate Williams. You’ll hear our guests discuss the experience of composing, publishing, and ministry as women. You’ll also hear several additional composers featured in this episode’s OYH Pl ...…

We’re focusing on the rich heritage of the Black sacred music tradition, and we’re blessed to be joined by two important voices: Leon Roberts (recorded in a presentation from 1985), and Lynne Gray. Join co-hosts Zack Stachowski and Matt Reichert for an exploration of the treasury of hymns, spirituals, and gospel songs. You’ll hear lots of stand ...…

We are kicking off a new year with our second conversation with Dan Schutte! In this episode, co-hosts Zack Stachowski and Matt Reichert speak with Dan about his song, “City of God.” They talk about its origins as an Advent song, the musical structure of the piece, the importance of the St. Louis Jesuits in forming a generation of guitar player ...…

We are closing out Advent with our fourth release, our first ever “OYH Lessons & Carols.” You’ll hear a range of great music from a variety of composers. You’ll also hear readings woven throughout, read by friends of the podcast: David Haas, Jes Garceau, Audrey Reichert, Carol Browning, and Jesse Manibusan. Whether you listen while driving in t ...…

Advent is going fast, but it’s not over yet! Join Zack Stachowski and Matt Reichert as they speak with composer Carol Browning about “Creator of the Stars of Night.” Bob Moore stops by to talk about Carol’s music, and Fr. Anthony Ruff, OSB, gives some historical background to the 1,000-year-old chant hymn at the core of this piece. Plus, you’ll ...…

It’s another very special themed episode of OYH! To commemorate the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception and the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, we’re playing some of our favorite Marian songs and hymns. We’ll play a lot of music, in a lot of different styles, including liturgical and devotional music. You’ll hear songs celebrating Mary as se ...…

Did you know that 2018 is the 200th birthday of the song “Silent Night?” To celebrate both this important anniversary and the start of the Advent season, we are re-releasing our interview with Dan Kantor about his song, “Night of Silence.” You’ll hear the same great interview from 2017, but with added features like the OYH Playlist segment. Dan ...…

It’s the first OYH Hymn Fest! In honor of the Feast of St. Cecilia, patroness of music, we’re celebrating some of our favorite hymn texts and hymn tunes. We’ll play a lot of music, including hymns from the English, German, Irish, and American traditions and some recently composed texts and tunes. We’ll also chat with special guests Dr. Michael ...…

You likely knew that composer Steve Angrisano is very talented musician and speaker. But, did you also know that he’s a great foot washer? It’s just one of the many things we discussed when we discussed his setting of Psalm 63, “My Soul is Thirsting.” Join co-hosts Zack Stachowski and Matt Reichert as they speak with Steve about songwriting, co ...…

We’re welcoming Fr. Michael Joncas back to speak about another one of his best-loved compositions: “No Greater Love.” While many know this popular song, not everyone knows that it was composed as part of a full Mass setting. So, there are a lot of layers to today’s episode: orchestral Mass settings, setting Scripture to music, using chant-like ...…

Open Your Hymnal is making its debut on Catholic radio tomorrow (September 1st)! To celebrate, we are releasing a re-mastered version of our very first podcast episode, "On Eagle's Wings," with composer Fr. Michael Joncas. The re-release includes the addition of our newest feature, the Open Your Hymnal Playlist, and more. Please enjoy this epis ...…

It's been a busy summer for Open Your Hymnal - conferences, travel, new interviews, new partnerships. Now, co-hosts Zack Stachowski and Matt Reichert return from their summer break to a conversation with composer Fr. Ricky Manalo, CSP, about his song "Many and Great." They discuss musical style, cultural idioms, compositional influence, cultura ...…

There is a lot to unpack in our Season 2 premier: the role and place of contemporary music, style wars, the synthesis of faith-culture-life, how we must do a better job of sending instead of just gathering, and more. Even Hootie & the Blowfish make an appearance! Listen as Zack Stachowski and Matt Reichert speak with composer John Angotti about ...…

In just a few short days, we’ll be launching our second season of new episodes and interviews. Just in time for graduation and commencement season, we’ll start with our conversation with composer John Angotti about his song, “I Send You Out.” We’ll also be welcoming Carol Browning, Fr. Ricky Manalo, our second conversation with David Haas, and ...…

We end our first season the way it began, with a setting of a Psalm text! Join cohosts Zack Stachowski and Matt Reichert as they speak with composer Christopher Walker about his setting of Psalm 27. They discuss the sometimes not-so-helpful structure of responsorial Psalms, the clash of popular music culture and liturgical music culture regardi ...…

Gary Daigle, Terry Donohoo, and Rory Cooney It's our OYH Easter Vigil episode! Much like the vigil, this episode is longer and packed full of lots of beautiful moments. Join hosts Matt Reichert and Zack Stachowski as they return to composers Gary Daigle and Rory Cooney, this time in conversation together about one of their best-known and best-l ...…

From our interview at NPM 2017: Matt Reichert, Paul Inwood, and Zack Stachowski Join us as OYH ventures "across the pond"! In this interview recorded in July 2017, Matt Reichert and Zack Stachowski spoke with composer Paul Inwood about one of his best-loved compositions and, in the process, learned a little bit about the trajectory of post-Vati ...…

Composer Alan Hommerding, during our interview in December 2017 at World Library Publications in Chicago, Illinois. Brace yourself for a double whammy: our first Lenten episode and our first hymnody conversation! Join Zack Stachowski and Matt Reichert as they chat with composer and text-writer Alan Hommerding. They discuss the way metrical hymn ...…

From left to right: Gary daigle, terry donohoo, marty haugen, rory cooney, Fr. michael joncas, and david haas - all OYH podcast alumni! In this episode, we host our own little composers forum! Matt and Zack speak with Gary Daigle - composer, musician, and producer - about his work with The Dameans. They discuss collaborative song writing, the i ...…

Group shot! Podcast guests Jaime Cortez, David Haas, Rory Cooney, and Gary Daigle. Rory Cooney is a not only a gifted composer, he is also a prophetic writer of texts. In this interview, Zack Stachowski and Matt Reichert speak with Rory about the background of one of his best-loved pieces, "Canticle of the Turning," to learn more about his theo ...…

Dan Kantor's song, "Night of Silence," has been sung and celebrated in churches and concert halls around the world. In this episode, Zack Stachowski and Matt Reichert chat with Dan about writing vivid text, creating harmonic structure, and the importance of celebrating Advent. We also learn new words like "Quod Libet," and Matt gets Zack to bot ...…

Fr. Francis Patrick (Fran) O'Brien is the guest for our Thanksgiving episode, and everyone is invited! Fran shares with Matt Reichert and Zack Stachowski his approach to text and melody, his musical influences, and what it's like to be both a liturgical composer and a parish pastor. Plus, there are lots of cameo appearances from Lucien Deiss, A ...…

Jaime Cortez has dedicated a significant portion of his ministry to promoting Hispanic liturgies and bringing cultures together. In this conversation with Zack Stachowski and Matt Reichert, Jaime shares the story of the beginnings of his working relationship with Bob Hurd, provides insight into composing bilingual music, and shares some of the ...…

Jesse Manibusan wears many titles: "Ambassador of Joy," "Catholic Ninja," "Itinerant Witness," and more. In this episode, Zack Stachowski and Matt Reichert chat with Jesse about his journey to liturgical music, his work with - and advocacy for - young people in the Church, his experience with depression, and how he finds ways to radiate joy. If ...…

Tony Alonso is one of the most prominent voices in contemporary liturgical music. In this conversation, Matt Reichert and Zack Stachowski discuss with him the beginnings of his career, how he has developed his own compositional voice, the lessons he's learned, and the critical role of mentorship. So, please open your hymnal to "What You Have Do ...…

What's the biggest challenge when interviewing Dan Schutte? Deciding which song to discuss. Join Matt Reichert and Zack Stachowski as they speak with Dan about one of his most ubiquitous compositions, "Here I Am, Lord." In addition, they chat about one of the most prolific and consequential group of liturgical music composers: the St. Louis Jes ...…

There are numerous Marian hymns and songs in each Catholic hymnal. In this episode, Zack Stachowski and Matt Reichert discuss one of the best-loved and most-cherished, "Hail Mary: Gentle Woman". In conversation with the song's composer, Carey Landry, Zack and Matt discuss the imagery used to describe Mary, the surprising lack of congregational ...…

The need for bilingual liturgical music - and, in some places, trilingual or quadrilingual music - is widespread in the United States. In this episode, Zack Stachowski and Matt Reichert interview composer Bob Hurd about his song "Pan de Vida," one of the earliest and best-loved examples of purpose-built bilingual liturgical music. Bob discusses ...…

First published in 1991, "You Are Mine" is one of the most popular contemporary liturgical songs used in the Church today. It consistently appears at the top of "favorite liturgical song" lists and surveys and is heard in parishes around the world. In this episode, composer David Haas speaks with Zack Stachowski and Matt Reichert to break open ...…

The text of the traditional "Irish blessing" is well-known and well-loved by generations of Christians from across the cultural spectrum. In this episode, composer Lori True speaks with Zack Stachowski and Matt Reichert about her setting of the text in the song "May the Road Rise to Meet You." Lori shares her experience crafting melody, setting ...…

In our most recent episode, Zack and Matt spoke to composer Marty Haugen about the song “All Are Welcome." In this rich conversation, Marty shared many thoughts about the importance of congregational song, how he writes and arranges his music with parish musicians in mind, and the ways that faith communities can and should address current issue ...…

To say that some people have strong feelings about the song "All Are Welcome" may be an understatement. While it has detractors it is also beloved by many, and when it is used in parishes the congregation sings. In this episode, composer Marty Haugen speaks with Zack Stachowski and Matt Reichert about "All Are Welcome" and, in doing so, shares ...…

During our interview, Fr. Michael Joncas shared one of his recent projects, a hymn text called "A Place Called Home". Listen to his description of the hymn, and then check it out using the links below. A powerful text matched with a familiar melody, this piece would make an easy and impactful addition to your congregation's repertoire. Feature ...…

The song "On Eagle's Wings" is everywhere: hymnals, YouTube, funerals and memorial services, and even PBS television specials. In this episode, Zack Stachowski and Matt Reichert interview the song's composer, Fr. Michael Joncas, to learn more about the story of the song, the writing and publication process, and the song's legacy. There is even ...…

Welcome to "Open Your Hymnal," a new podcast from Zack Stachowski and Matt Reichert. The repertoire of music used at liturgy is vast and ever-growing. Even so, each of us has our favorites. Maybe it's a song that captures a particular image, or a song that brings back a special memory like a wedding or a funeral. In this podcast, we examine the ...…

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